Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Northern Wisconsin 319deceive honest souls into a bypath, that they may not feel the forceand importance of the solemn truths proclaimed by the third angel.Elder K has been looked up to as an example, while he has been aninjury to the cause of God. His life has not been blameless. His wayshave not been in accordance with the holy law of God, or with the spot- [336]less life of Christ. His corrupt nature is not subdued; and yet he dwellsmuch upon sanctification, and thereby deceives many. I was directedto his past labors. He has failed to bring out souls into the truth, and toestablish them upon the third angel’s message. He presents a theory ofsanctification as a matter of the utmost importance, while he makes ofbut little importance the channel through which God’s blessing comes.“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” The presenttruth, which is the channel, is not regarded, but is trampled underfoot.Men may cry, Holiness! holiness! sanctification! sanctification!consecration! consecration! and yet know no more by experience ofwhat they talk than the sinner with his corrupt propensities. God willsoon tear off this whitewashed garb of professed sanctification whichsome who are carnally minded have thrown around them to hide thedeformity of the soul.A faithful record is kept of the acts of the children of men. Nothingcan be concealed from the eye of the high and holy One. Some take acourse directly opposed to the law of God, and then, to cover up theirsinful course, they profess to be consecrated to God. This professionof holiness does not make itself manifest in their daily lives. It doesnot have a tendency to elevate their minds, and lead them to “abstainfrom all appearance of evil.” We are made a spectacle unto the world,to angels, and to men. Our faith is blasphemed in consequence of thecrooked course of the carnally minded. They profess a part of the truth,which gives them influence, while they have no union with those whobelieve and are united upon the whole truth. What has been Elder K’sinfluence? What have been the fruits of his labors? How many havebeen brought out and established upon present truth? How many hashe brought into the unity of the faith? He has not gathered with Christ.His influence has been to scatter. There is a lack in his preaching, and [337]his converts lack that which would prove their rock and defense in theday of God’s anger. His preaching lacks the salt, the savor. He doesnot bring out souls thoroughly converted to the truth, separating themfrom the world, and uniting them with God’s peculiar people. His